Mute for musical instruments



April 8 1924- G. K. CHENEY MUTE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 5,

Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,489,629 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE K. CHENEY, OF BALDWIN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND CHARLES L. RANDALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MUTE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed November 3, 1922. Serial No. 598,747.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE K. CHENEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baldwin, in the countyof Nassau and State of New York, and whose post-office address is Baldwin, Long Island, New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mutes for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mates for musical instruments, such as trombones, cornets, etc.

Prior mutes with which I am familiar are of comparatively weak and flimsy construction and tend to weaken and yield to the. lateral pressure of the instrument and, if

made of wood or fibre, this is aggravated by the moisture which collects therearound during use. One object of the invention therefore is a mute of a light but durable construction which may be forced into operative engagement with the bell of the instrument without crushing or otherwise injur ing the thin shell of which the mute is made and in which the tendency to weaken during use is obviated.

A further object is a collapsible mute having a plurality of telescopically arranged sections which may be readily collapsed for easy carrying or extended into a rigid structure for attachment to the instrument, together with means associated therewith whereby the collapsible sections may be positively extended and tightened into a rigid structure. and a tight fit of the parts may be maintained throughout the life of the mute notwithstanding wear thereof. More specifically, my improved mute comprises two or more collapsible and extensible sections and an adjustable and tightening member passing therethrough, the latter having an adjustable connection with one of said sections and a relatively fixed connection with the other. My invention also contemplates a mute of simple construction and manipulation which may be economically manufactured and assembled.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application wherein Fig. 1 is a part sectional and part elevational view of an instrument embodying my invention as applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a mute embodying my invention;

.my mute.

Referring to the drawings where similar numerals'designate slmilar parts throughout.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to and used in connection with a trombone 1, my mute 2 being inserted within and forced into the flaring outlet portion or bell of the trombone. In the particular embodiment illustrated the :mute comprises three collapsible frusto-conical sections 3, 4 and 5 all adapted to be extended or pulled out into a rigid structure as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner section 5 comprises a multiplicity of y1eld1ng grlps or friction spacing devices 6 mounted on the exterior thereof for firmly gripping the interior of the bell portion of the instrument. These yielding and gripping devices 6 may be in the form of elongated pieces of cork extending longitudinally of the section 5 and symmetrically arranged on the exterior of the section as indicated. In the specific embodiment illustrated, there are three of these gripping and spacing members suitably secured and anchored to section 5. These members 6 are indicated as tapered off at their outer ends to clear the inner ends of the i.nter mediate section 4 when the device is being collapsed or drawn out. The inner or smaller section 5 carries a bracing device in the vicinity of the point of engagement with the instrument where crushing strains occur, to prevent crushing and collapsing of the same when inserted in position. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the bracing device is disposed on the interior and in the neighborhood of the friction devices 6. This internal bracing means comprises a ring 7 which engages the interior of the section and is reinforced by a three armed spider 8 having a hub portion 9 with an opening extending therethrough for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The internal bracing device may be suitably attached to the interior of the section 5 as by means of the attaching screws 10 passing through the ring 7 intermediate the arms or spokes 8. The outer section '3 is provided with a suitable closure 11 which may entirely close the outer end of section 3 or may be provided with tone control openings, as may be desired in practice. The closure 11 is in the form of a disk and is firmly secured in position in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of the angle pieces 12 having screws 13 for firm attachment to the section 3. This closure 11 is provided with an opening in the center thereof which is in alignment with the opening in the hub 9 of the internal bracing devices and in this opening there is disposed an internally threaded sleeve 14: which is fixedly carried therewithin. A stem or tightening rod 1 is adapted to be inserted through this threaded sleeve 1% and has its inner end 16 of reduced dimensions in order to be insertable into the opening in hub 9. Adjacent its outer end this stem is provided with a screw threaded portion 17 for cooperation with the threaded sleeve 14- and thereby attachably engaging the closing disc 11. The outer end of the stem 15 is pro vided with a knurled head 18 which enables one to readily turn the stem 15 relatively to the section when inserted in position. The collapsible sections 3. t and 5 may be positively drawn out and expanded into a rigid structure by means of this stem 15 and its connections with the two end sections, one being a relatively fixed connection and the other an adjustable one. In the particular embodiment shown the fixed connection is at the hub 9 which serves as an abutment with the reduced extended portion 16 projectingthrough the hub opening and serving as a guide.

In the particular embodiment illustrated it is desirable to devise some means for preventing or limiting the relative rotary movement of the collapsible sections and the strains put thereupon as. for example. when giving the mute a slight twist when inserted in operative position, I have provided two spring locking devices 20 for locking sections 3 and a, and at and 5 respectively, both of which are illustrated as of similar construction in this embodiment of my invention. Each spring locking device comprises a locking pin 21 projecting through openings in the adjacent sections 3 and 4 when assembled and 4t and 5 when assembled), the opening 29. in the outer section being elongated in the direction of the axis of the instrument to provide for adjustment to compensate for wear and to secure a. tight. seal. Each locking member 20 also carries a small pin or projection 23 which projects through the inner section to the outside and enables one by an inward push of the same to cause the withdrawal of the locking pin 21 from the elongated openings 22 permitting the collapsing of the mute. These locking devices 20 may be attached to the interior of the section 4 by the attaching screws 24. The locking device 20 carried atiou without injury thereto the inner section 5 may, if desired, be attached thereto by means of the attaching screws 10 which thereby serve the double purpose of anchoring the locking device 20 and the internal bracing means. The locking device 20 may be stamped out of a suitable blank of spring sheet metal or other desirable material. The locking pins 21 and 23 may be formed thereon by first forming ears on the blank as indicated and then turning them up at right angles to the plane of the blank.

The sections of the mute may be made of any desirable material as, for example, wood, fibre, or of a metallic shell lined with a layer of wood or fibre and vice versa. Preterz'ibly, the inner end of section 5 is provided with a reinforcing means comprising an annular U-section ring This member 25 is preferably of very thin metal having one or both 01 its edges 26 planed over into engagement with and biting the surface of the section 5 in order to securely anchor the same in position.

The manipulation and use of the mute embodyii'ig my invention is clear from the above description. It. may be readily col lapsed as shown in Fig. 3 for easily and conveniently carrying the same about and it may be quickly extended and drawn out into a rigid structure by simply inserting the reduced end 16 through the hub 9 of the internal bracing device and, after having brought the screw threaded portion 17 into cooperation with the sleeve let, the parts may be drawn out until all sections 4: and 5 securely engage each other and prevent further extension. As the parts wear during use, this wear is automatically taken up by the adjusting means and construction illustrated comprising the stem 15 with the elongated screw threaded portion 17 thereon. Tn the extended position the locking devices 20 are in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 with the locking pins 21 passing through the registering openings in the adjacent sections and the mute which now forms a rigid structure may be inserted within the flaring outlet or bell of the trombone 1 by simply inserting the smaller end thereot therethrough with the necessary force to cause the gripping and spacing members (3 to firmly grip the interior t the tromb ne. The mute may be given. it do sired, a slight twist in this mbling opersince the colhipsiblo portions are. all securely locked against relative movement and the rein Forcing devi e comprising the ring T and the spider 8 serves the double purpose of n'eventiug injury to the mute by crushing during the inserting operation and during use and ot' serving as an abutment against which the inner end of the tightening stem 15 abuts tor extending the sectional mute into a rigid, usable struc ture. The parts are of simple construction and may be manufactured on a quantity production basis with the consequent economy in cost of manufacture and assembly. The

, mute illustrated in this application has peculiar advantages in tone control, it being observed that tones unobtainable by the use of prior mutes are readily obtainable by the use of a mute embodying the features of construction herein illustrated.

I claim:

1. A mute for a musical instrument comprising a conical member for insertion within the flaring outlet of the instrument, and bracing and reinforcing means for the walls of the mute arranged on the inside of said walls and in the vicinity of that part of the conical member which engages the instrument.

2. A mute for musical instruments comprising a conical member having friction gripping and spacing devices disposed around the circumference thereof, and bracing and reinforcing means for the walls of the mute arranged on the inside of said walls and in the vicinity of said friction devices.

3. A collapsible mute for musical instruments comprising at least two frusto-conical sections, the inner section having friction gripping and spacing devices on the exterior thereof and a reinforcing and bracing device on its interior in the neighborhood of said friction gripping devices.

4. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections, a fixed member disposed within and carried by the smaller of said sections and an adjusting member carried by the larger of said sections and engaging said fixed member for extending and tightening said telescopically arranged sections.

5. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged frusto-conical sections, the smaller of said sections carrying a reinforcing and abutment member for preventing crushing of the same when inserted in the instrument, and means associated and cooperating with said abutment member for actuating and drawing said frusto-conical sections in opposite directions.

6. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged frusto-conical sections, the smaller of said sections carrying a reinforcing and abutment member about the interior thereof, said reinforcing member comprising a ring se cured to the inner surface of said smaller section and a hub portion disposed axially thereof, a closure carried by the larger of said sections, said closure having a screw threaded sleeve therethrough and tightening and adjusting member extending through said sleeve and having a screw threaded portion in operative engagement therewith, with its inner end extending to and engaging the aforesaid hub portion as an abutment for the purpose set forth.

7. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least twotelescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections, and an elongated member passing through said sections, the latter having a relatively rotatable adjustable connection with one of said sections for positively extending and tightening the telescopically arranged sections.

8. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged extensible frustoconical sections, and an elongated member disposed within said sections and having a longitudinally adjustable connection with one of said sections but a longitudinally fixed connection with the other of said sections for positively extending said sections.

9. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections, the larger of said sections having a closing disc, an elongated member disposed within said sections and carried at one end by said disc and at the other end by one of said sections and having an adjustable connection therewith at one end for positively extending the sections and maintaining a tight fit.

10. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections of a light construction, one of said sections having an internal reinforcing member for bracing the thin walls of the mute, and a tightening member disposed within said sections and carried by said reinforcing member and one of said sections and having an adjustable connection with one of them for positively extending and tightening the sections.

11. A mute for musical instruments .comprising three telescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections, the smallest of said sections carrying a reinforcing member for preventing crushing of the same when inserted in an instrument and a tightening member disposed within said sections and engaging said reinforcing member and the largest of said sections and having an adjustable tightening connection with one of them.

12. A mute for musical instruments comprising at least two telescopically arranged extensible frusto-conical sections, the smaller of said sections having an internal reinforcing ring member for preventing crushing of the same when inserted in the instrument and the larger of said sections having a closing disc, and an elongated tightening member disposed within said sections and carried by said disc and said reinforcing member and having an adjustable connection with one of them for extending the seotions.

13. A hello mute of frustoronicai shape for insertion within the flaring outlet of it musical instrument so that the outer side walls of the smaller end of the mute will engage the walls of the instrument, a reinforcing member in the form of a spider urranged within the mute and positioned to resist the crushing strain on the \mils of the mute when the latter is inserted within 10 the instrument.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE K. CHENEY. 

